Newly filed charging documents reveal what happened in the minutes before a Salt Lake City woman was allegedly killed by her boyfriend before he fired on officers and then himself earlier this month.
The documents show that when an SLCPD officer arrived at the couple’s apartment at 125 S. 300 East on Feb. 10, he heard screaming from inside and a gurgling sound.
Police were dispatched there because minutes earlier, a 911 dispatcher received a call from a resident who seemed to be in trouble.
It was an open line, and dispatchers said a woman could be heard saying she was being held there and that her boyfriend was trying to kill her. The man — later identified as 31-year-old Micheal Tyson Nance — can be heard saying, “I’m going to do something before the end of ...”
Police later learned the woman, Natalie Thurber, had also texted a friend saying, “help now, now! He’s trying to kill me."
The officer kicked in a window, and said he saw Nance choking Thurber in the bathroom, according to charging documents.
The officer ordered Nance to let go — and he did. Body camera footage described in charging documents reportedly captures Nance saying, “hold on, hold on.” He walks away, leaving Natalie alone for a few seconds as she crouches near the toilet with her hands in the air.
Then Nance returns with a handgun. The footage reportedly shows him point it at her and pull the trigger. Then, she falls out of the camera’s view and dies.
Nance then allegedly fired several rounds at several officers who were standing outside the broken window. One bullet hit an officer in the leg. The officer is expected to recover.
By the time investigators got inside the apartment, Nance was gone. A handgun and Thurber’s body were on the bathroom floor.
Police found Nance shortly afterward after learning multiple people had called 911 to report a man bleeding from his face and asking for help.
Charging documents say Nance shot himself in the chin and the bullet exited from his nose. He was taken to the hospital for treatment after his arrest.
Nance allegedly told officers he “lost it” during a fight with Thurber and choked her. Police also say he admitted to shooting at the window.
On Thursday, prosecutors in 3rd District Court filed multiple charges against Nance in connection with Thurber’s death and shots fired at officers in the aftermath. He is facing a count of aggravated murder, attempted criminal homicide, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault.
Nance was booked into the Salt Lake County jail Feb. 11. He is being held without bail.-
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Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For more information and resources, the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition’s 24-hour hotline can be reached at 1-800-897-5465. The hotline is free and confidential.
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